The Basics
Score: Roanoke 67, Methodist 70
Records: Roanoke 0-1 | Methodist 1-0
Location: Fayetteville, N.C.

The Lead: The Roanoke College 2019-20 men's basketball season kicked off with a trip to North Carolina on Sunday evening. The Monarchs held off a late RC rally to take the opener by three points.

How it Happened:

• The Maroons would open the game on a 4-0 run before Methodist got back in the game with a 5-0 run of their own. RC opened up a nine point lead after a free throw by Efosa Edosomwan, 27-18.
• Edosomwan hit a layup to make it 32-25 with just over two minutes remaining. However, the Monarchs would close out the half on an 8-0 surge to take a one point lead into the break.
• RC would once again go on a run to start the second half, 6-0, before Methodist would mount a rally that would see the home team erase the six point deficit (40-40) with 13:19 left on the clock.
• After the two teams traded three-pointers, the Monarchs would enjoy their largest lead of the game (56-48) with just under six minutes to go. Trailing by seven, Caleb Jordan would hit one of two from the stripe and Edosomwan scored six straight for the Maroons as RC made it a one possession game with 12 ticks remaining.
• After a Roanoke foul, Methodist pushed the advantage to four and fouled the Maroons to prevent a three point attempt. Jordan made one FT to cut it to three before each team would call a timeout to set up a play on the second free throw attempt. Jordan missed the free throw but Methodist secured the rebound, earning the season opening win.
• Edosomwan finished the night 17 points and seven boards. Dillon Thomas came off the bench to add 15 while Jordan finished with 12.
• Kieran Turner recorded 10 rebounds with Ethan Rohan securing five in just 11 minutes of play.

Up next: Roanoke will host the Dick Leftwich Tip-Off Tournament in the Cregger Center this Friday and Saturday. The Maroons will host Goucher in the tournament opener on Friday night at 6:00pm.